South Carolina Fiction Project

The South Carolina Fiction Project is a biennial writing competition, sponsored by Sandlapper magazine and the South Carolina Arts Commission. The competition calls for previously unpublished short stories of 2,500 words or less. The stories do not need to be Southern in subject matter, nor do they need to be set in South Carolina, although such stories are acceptable for consideration.

Up to eight short stories will be selected for publication; each writer whose work is selected will receive $250 from Sandlapper, which purchases first publication rights. Sandlapper is published quarterly in March, June, September, and December. One story will be published in each issue over a two-year period beginning with the March 2011 issue and ending with the December 2012 issue. Winning stories will also be published on Sandlapper’s website and the Arts Commission's website 90 days after the print version is distributed.

Sandlapper prints and circulates 42,500 issues annually via subscription and over-the-counter sales across the state. An online version is available at sandlapper.org. The magazine is also distributed to schools and libraries in the state.

Eligibility Requirements
The applicant must:

1. Be a legal resident of South Carolina
2. Be 18 years of age or older at the time of application

Restrictions

1. Previously published stories may not be submitted. SCAC must be notified immediately if a story is published after submission to the S.C. Fiction Project.
2. Only one short story per writer will be accepted and no stories will be returned.

Deadline

POSTMARKED October 1, 2010

Reading Fee

None

Review Process
Stories will be selected by a professional writer; selection will be based on literary quality and suitability for a general magazine audience.

Required Application Materials

1. Program Application form - Page 1 Only - An original completed and signed Program Application form (PDF).
   (How to use PDFs)
   • Page 1 - Complete in full and sign. Enter the title of your story on the "Other" line.
   • Pages 2 & 3 are not required.
   NOTE: Application forms may be completed on your computer, printed out, and mailed. To use the PDF forms, you will first need to download and install the FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader (version 5 or higher). Instructions on using PDF files)
   
   
2. Story - Send three (3) stapled copies of the story; must be typed, single-sided, double-spaced, in a font no smaller than 12 point, with at least one-inch margins. The author's name should not appear anywhere on the copies, but the story's title must be included.
   
   
3. Biography - Submit an updated biographical statement of 100 words or less (see examples). Biographies are not read by the competition judge, but will be used in the event the applicant's story is selected for publication.

All submissions should be sent to:
South Carolina Fiction Project
South Carolina Arts Commission
1800 Gervais Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Note: Incomplete applications will not be processed.

Winner Notification

Winners will be notified and posted on the S.C. Arts Commission website by mid-January 2011. Winners will be asked to submit their story digitally along with a high-resolution digital photo.